Clive Jones, a blind former soldier and Past Master of St Mary’s Lodge in Shropshire, has been an inspiring figure in both Freemasonry and blind archery. Clive first took up archery in 2001 during rehabilitation at St Dunstan’s, a charity supporting blinded veterans, now known as Blind Veterans UK. He quickly developed a talent for the sport and now serves as chairman of the charity’s archery club.
After stepping away from archery in 2013, Clive returned to the sport in 2018, rekindling his passion and competitive spirit. Since then, he has consistently competed and excelled in the British Blind Sport (BBS) competitions, earning multiple titles as the B1 (totally blind) champion.
Most recently, on September 15th, Clive competed in the British Blind Sport Outdoor National Championship at Lilleshall National Sports Centre. Battling difficult weather conditions, Clive began his day early, setting up his equipment on the wet, sandy grass. The competition featured 12 dozen arrows across various target faces at a distance of 30 meters, while heavy rain added extra challenges.
Despite the conditions, Clive stayed focused throughout the event. His equipment suffered under the weather, and he had to replace his finger tab and change into dry gear mid-competition. Nonetheless, he maintained a steady performance, eventually winning the competition by over 100 points.
“I have always enjoyed shooting in the rain, it adds to the relaxation of being behind the bow” Clive remarked after his victory.
In addition to his success at home, Clive represents Great Britain internationally. Since 2022, he has competed in events across the world, including Dubai, Rome, the Czech Republic, and Rotterdam. At the IBSA World Games, Clive secured a silver medal for Great Britain. He is currently ranked number four in both Europe and the world in his category, and he has ambitions to qualify for the 2025 World Para Archery Championships in Korea.
While blind archery has not yet been included in the Paralympics, Clive remains hopeful that the 2028 Los Angeles Games will feature the sport. However, the costs of competing internationally, including travel, accommodation, and entry fees, are significant. Clive funds these expenses for both himself and his spotter and he is actively seeking sponsorship to continue competing at the highest level.
Clive’s story demonstrates not only his skill but his dedication to blind archery. With continued support, he aims to further improve his ranking and push for the inclusion of blind archery on the global stage.
